The G. Wayne Tapio & Bogie Carlow Little League Field was recently completed as a result of one man’s will to act.
Pine Ridge man’s perseverance leads to new youth field
Field named after late Lakota leaders
By Brandon Ecoffey
LCT Editor PINE RIDGE— At one point in time a quality baseball field stood just below a building that once housed the Su Anne Big Crow center on the southeast side of Pine Ridge Village. After years of dilapidation the field slowly became not fit for play and the youth of Pine Ridge Village lost one of their few spots for recreation. So, one man decided to do something about it. Ted Pedregon Sr. looked over the current ball field situation in Pine Ridge and he realized that with resources stretched thin across the reservation there wasn’t a park designated for youth use only. Instead of waiting for some organization to come along and build one, he took it upon himself to gather the necessary resources and work force to construct one. “There isn’t a field just for the youth. All of the fields have softball or other things going. I want to build a field that is just for the youth,” said Pedregon, in an interview with LCT earlier this year when the project first started. The project was completed last week and named after to late Lakota leaders in G. Wayne Tapio and Bogie Carlow. Both of whom were champions of the youth. The field that is now known as the G. Wayne Tapio & Bogie Carlow Little League field was opened to the youth shortly after an opening ceremony held last weekend. Members of the Carlow Family and Tapio family were on hand as Tiny DeCory did the honors of dedicating the field to their memory.
A sign at the G. Wayne Tapio & Bogie Carlow Little League Field in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
According to Ted Pedregon the number of programs and individuals that contributed to the project was immense and included: Oglala Sioux Housing, Paul Iron Cloud, Vince Martin, CDC, Lyle Jack, Energy Assistance: Susan Two Eagle, Oyate Bilheya; Charlie Standing Bear, Pine Ridge Village Executive Board Carol O'Rourke, Wilma Colhoff, Doug Bissonette, and Amber Tobacco, OST Transportation; Dave Kelly, Phil Ward, and Av Fire Thunder, Motor Fuels; Justin Pourier, State Department of Transportation; Rich and Shane Hagen. Oglala Sioux Fire Department: TJ Randall, Melvin Rossman, Kenny Brewer, and crew to many to name. As well as Pine Ridge Tribal Council representatives Ella John Carlow, Robin Tapio, and Richard Greenwald. The new Pine Ridge Executive Board including Betty Goings, Bessie Lebeau, Darrin Janis, and Derek Janis. And Budget Signs' Frank Short Bull all helped with donations. “Many volunteers helped to build the field and are much appreciated. I am sure I missed some, but newspaper deadline looms and could not get them all listed. Much thanks to all,” said Pedregon. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter.
Join the Conversation
